I had intended to write about Bacon’s Rebellion today, since on this date in 1676, Nathaniel Bacon published the Declaration of the People of Virginia, outlining the rebels’ demands —and, let’s be honest, also because I am giddy with relief at finishing the final stages of the new book and eager to be doing actual history again—but President Joe Biden gave a surprisingly interesting talk in Freeport, Maine, yesterday that hit my in-box today just as I was sitting down to write about Bacon. (I wasn’t at the event—I was in Boston recording the audiobook.)
Historians will be generous in their assessment and praise of the Biden administration, I believe. Rightly so, based on its policies, actions and results it has thus far undertaken and achieved.
Wow! Just wow! I've underestimated the man. This is so groundbreaking and reassuring that I'm glad I waited up for your post. Last night I managed to catch Ian Bremmer's interview with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who's our woman at the United Nations, and that, too, was solid and realistically hopeful. I noted that she's 70 years old, with an impressive career in diplomacy, and I'm thinking that we mustn't judge our leaders on their chronological age alone but their demonstrated abilities.
“If I were writing a history of the Biden administration 150 years from now, I would call out this informal talk as an articulation of a vision of American leadership, based not in economic expansion, military might, or personalities, or even in policies, but in the strength of the institutions of democracy, preserved through global alliances.”
This is a lovely piece, Heather. I agree with you; we are capable of great things, and lucky to have Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice-President. We know how to do what needs doing. Diversity is our strength; back when I was an undergrad I took a biology course and learned abut hybrid vigor. It's real; let's embrace and celebrate it. Now we must sweep clean the obstacles that block progress.
President Biden has a vision to lead the United States in the 21st Century. While President Biden is an older American, his vision is that of a young man yearning for freedom. Freedom from want, freedom from fear, and freedom to choose a future. President Biden is freely giving this country a door to opportunity. He is a positive leader that is showing us the way to grow and the way to heal. Thank God the American people choose such a worthy person to lead us, and not a past impingement that would only destroy us.
Yes, Professor’ you highlighted past, present and future, President Biden speaking about our government, our nation, “Our strength is our diversity. It’s about time we begin to use it.”
“[T]he whole world is changing,” Biden said, “But if we grab hold,” he continued, “[t]here’s nothing beyond our capacity.” Of course there will always be the need for change and improvements, but this is a time to highlight accomplishments, recovery and what works in America. Hoping President Biden, Democrats and all the Americans are ready for the next election, continuing progress for every citizen. Beyond political party.
Contrast Biden’s speeches with, "And I ALONE can fix it," to get a feel for what Independents and late-arriving voters will be hearing in 2024. Stand back and stand by, America.
I’m so glad our President is tooting his own horn! Thank God we elected him and he has been able to undo the damage the previous guy sought to do every day. Biden’s presidency will go down in history as a great one. Let’s hope we’re great enough to give him four more years
Joe Biden is the heart and soul of American greatness. He provides a roadmap for the future as well as a recognition of the consequences of failed past policies and our need to make reparations for the harms we have caused.
Wonderful column. Biden inspires, rising out of the political muck, his eye on the ball, the focus on what needs to be done and why. I hope he repeats and embellishes this theme over and over again. Truly visionary.
Well, not quite the doddering, bumbling old fogey with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.
Real leadership; any way one could define that term.
Given the roster of Republican alternatives, besides tfg, who, hopefully, will be out of the picture by November ‘24, it seems a second term for Joe Biden is essential.
After reading this, I am immensely grateful you wrote about history, after all, as you stated. The last paragraph was excellent; I look forward to reading it repeatedly. Thank you for what you bring to this weary traveler during our tumultuous times.
While Joe Biden was in Freeport, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) was in Boston for the NAACP Annual Conference. He spoke to a crowd about the plan by white supremacists to stack the court ever since Brown V. Board of Education decision in 1954, in which all 9 justices ruled that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. Now we see that the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling majority has dismantled so much of democratic freedom, the supremacists have achieved their goal, but they aren't done yet. So I wish Joe Biden's vision of democracy 10 years from now included a Supreme Court with justices who uphold democratic ideals.
This same meeting was graced by the appearance of Vice President Kamala Harris. She focused on the upcoming elections and the need to vote in even larger numbers than 2020. But no mention of Biden adding more justices to the court. How do we restore democracy if we don't have a plan to deal with the Supreme Court?
Historians will be generous in their assessment and praise of the Biden administration, I believe. Rightly so, based on its policies, actions and results it has thus far undertaken and achieved.
Mic drop. Awesome….thanks for sharing Joe’s words/thoughts with us. Seems like he came along just when we needed him most.
Wow! Just wow! I've underestimated the man. This is so groundbreaking and reassuring that I'm glad I waited up for your post. Last night I managed to catch Ian Bremmer's interview with Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who's our woman at the United Nations, and that, too, was solid and realistically hopeful. I noted that she's 70 years old, with an impressive career in diplomacy, and I'm thinking that we mustn't judge our leaders on their chronological age alone but their demonstrated abilities.
“If I were writing a history of the Biden administration 150 years from now, I would call out this informal talk as an articulation of a vision of American leadership, based not in economic expansion, military might, or personalities, or even in policies, but in the strength of the institutions of democracy, preserved through global alliances.”
A perfect bird’s eye view of a future assessment!
This is a lovely piece, Heather. I agree with you; we are capable of great things, and lucky to have Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as President and Vice-President. We know how to do what needs doing. Diversity is our strength; back when I was an undergrad I took a biology course and learned abut hybrid vigor. It's real; let's embrace and celebrate it. Now we must sweep clean the obstacles that block progress.
President Biden has a vision to lead the United States in the 21st Century. While President Biden is an older American, his vision is that of a young man yearning for freedom. Freedom from want, freedom from fear, and freedom to choose a future. President Biden is freely giving this country a door to opportunity. He is a positive leader that is showing us the way to grow and the way to heal. Thank God the American people choose such a worthy person to lead us, and not a past impingement that would only destroy us.
Yes, Professor’ you highlighted past, present and future, President Biden speaking about our government, our nation, “Our strength is our diversity. It’s about time we begin to use it.”
“[T]he whole world is changing,” Biden said, “But if we grab hold,” he continued, “[t]here’s nothing beyond our capacity.” Of course there will always be the need for change and improvements, but this is a time to highlight accomplishments, recovery and what works in America. Hoping President Biden, Democrats and all the Americans are ready for the next election, continuing progress for every citizen. Beyond political party.
The best president of my lifetime. And my political life began by hanging "door knockers" for JFK as a teenager.
Contrast Biden’s speeches with, "And I ALONE can fix it," to get a feel for what Independents and late-arriving voters will be hearing in 2024. Stand back and stand by, America.
I’m so glad our President is tooting his own horn! Thank God we elected him and he has been able to undo the damage the previous guy sought to do every day. Biden’s presidency will go down in history as a great one. Let’s hope we’re great enough to give him four more years
Amazing speech. Thank you for sharing this.
Joe Biden is the heart and soul of American greatness. He provides a roadmap for the future as well as a recognition of the consequences of failed past policies and our need to make reparations for the harms we have caused.
We can build back better.
Wonderful column. Biden inspires, rising out of the political muck, his eye on the ball, the focus on what needs to be done and why. I hope he repeats and embellishes this theme over and over again. Truly visionary.
Well, not quite the doddering, bumbling old fogey with one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel.
Real leadership; any way one could define that term.
Given the roster of Republican alternatives, besides tfg, who, hopefully, will be out of the picture by November ‘24, it seems a second term for Joe Biden is essential.
Powerful. Thank you for showing its power. Congratulations on your book!
After reading this, I am immensely grateful you wrote about history, after all, as you stated. The last paragraph was excellent; I look forward to reading it repeatedly. Thank you for what you bring to this weary traveler during our tumultuous times.
While Joe Biden was in Freeport, Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) was in Boston for the NAACP Annual Conference. He spoke to a crowd about the plan by white supremacists to stack the court ever since Brown V. Board of Education decision in 1954, in which all 9 justices ruled that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. Now we see that the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling majority has dismantled so much of democratic freedom, the supremacists have achieved their goal, but they aren't done yet. So I wish Joe Biden's vision of democracy 10 years from now included a Supreme Court with justices who uphold democratic ideals.
This same meeting was graced by the appearance of Vice President Kamala Harris. She focused on the upcoming elections and the need to vote in even larger numbers than 2020. But no mention of Biden adding more justices to the court. How do we restore democracy if we don't have a plan to deal with the Supreme Court?